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Remember remember boxing in November? Adam Smith looks back on a brilliant month for the Brits.

A memorable month for Hatton, Haye, Calzaghe and co

November's been a feel-good month for British boxing. Shortly after Bonfire Night, Joe Calzaghe lit up Madison Square Garden when he brilliantly dominated Roy Jones, and then David Haye gave us more fireworks with that wild, exciting ride against Monte Barrett as he lays his claims in the heavyweight division. Last weekend, all eyes were on our Hitman to see if Ricky Hatton's career would be re-ignited in his 31st year or whether it would be a case of sifting though the cinders and if Paulie Malignaggi could back up his pre-fight boasts. I certainly wasn't as worried as some. Many experienced and notable critics fancied the flash New Yorker not only to out-box Hatton, but to even stop him late on. I thought they were overlooking two things - the injection of a fresh new camp for Hatton, and secondly that, in my opinion, Malignaggi isn't as good as he thinks he is. I was sitting with Sky Bet's expert Dale Tempest a few hours before the big Vegas clash, and he said that late money was pouring in on the Hitman. It's possible that those Hatton doubters were seeing sense as the fight was nigh; and that they had seen what fabulous condition he was in when he weighed in bang on the 10 stone limit. He's never been defeated at light-welterweight, and I didn't think the light-punching, brittle-handed Paulie Malignaggi would be the first to do it, however slick his skills might be. Hatton didn't just answer his critics - he silenced them with what was probably his best display of boxing mixed with controlled aggression, since that superb evening when he dismantled Ray Oliveira. Yes, the overwhelming of Kostya Tszyu was his defining night, but Hatton marauded the former great from the off, closing the range and denying Tszyu the space to fully extend his dangerous right hand. It was a 'I will not be denied' performance, as oppose to fully utilising his often neglected skills. After a tricky opener, which Malignaggi won, Hatton soon showed that he had adapted to his new trainer Floyd Mayweather's way of thinking. He was caught by the left jab and occasional right but the Hitman did exactly what he promised he would. He still took charge from the centre of the ring, moving forward and pushing Malignaggi back, but he did it far more patiently.

Intimidated

Having hurt the hugely confident Italian-American in the second, it was all Hatton. He was even trying things out in his 46th fight; feints, movements, jabs and cheeky rights. Jim Watt was spot on (as usual) stating that Malignaggi was shocked by the size, strength and even speed of Hatton. I've never seen Malignaggi so intimidated before, not even by Miguel Cotto. By the middle rounds, it was all really starting to flow; jabs were doubled up, beautiful flurries unleashed, and Hatton was still trapping Malignaggi constantly. He was largely teeing off on the Brooklyn light-welterweight, who seemed to be holding on for dear life. How ironic that Malignaggi had continually called Hatton a 'wrestler' in the build-up, slagging him for his 'hit and hold' methods. When it came round to it - in reality - it was Malignaggi grabbing on just to stay with Hatton. Having been hurt by a body shot in the 10th, Malignaggi was told by his compassionate trainer Buddy McGirt that he needed to do something quickly. By this time, it looked like man against a boy, and McGirt was absolutely right to say 'no mas' shortly into the 11th. Having spent time with them in the build-up, I know how close Buddy and Paulie are. Team Malignaggi are a tight-knit group and it was interesting to hear that promoter Lou DiBella (who had been as convinced as Malignaggi that Hatton was going to have nightmares) wanted the fight stopped there and then. Malignaggi was angry - his pride dented, but it was the correct decision. It was so one-sided and they knew that Malignaggi does not possess any sort of an equaliser to get him out of dire trouble. He was, to be brutally honest, very poor, but Paulie, being the boxing fanatic that he is, will know that more than anyone. He will be hurting badly this week - but showed his grace and humour to present Ricky with bottles of 'Blue Moon' beer at the post-fight presser. It wasn't a great night for former trainer Billy Graham, but it was a good one for Floyd Mayweather, and a wonderful fightback from Hatton to prove he certainly has plenty left in the tank. What impressed me so much about the Hitman last weekend was that he was so fresh, so fit and his stamina was fantastic. He breezed through the rounds, surprised, on asking his corner, that he was already in the 10th, and when he did the post-fight interviews, he was hardly out of breath. All the tough running high at altitude in combat boots, the increased sparring, and the decision to cut out the weights has obviously re-invigorated Hatton. It was his most controlled performance in a long time. Hatton didn't rush or smother his work and he seemed refuelled, not only in terms of his supreme condition, but also by real ambition, even at this late stage of his career.

Answered

So there is still very much a future in the ring for Ricky Hatton. The pre-fight questions were:' Is he on the slide?' Was he right to split with Billy? Has the lifestyle finally caught up with him?' These were all emphatically answered. Mayweather is now pleading with Ricky not to lose himself in drink and food over the coming weeks, and I think our loveable Hitman might be a tad more sensible - but last I heard from him, he was en route to Mexico with the Gallagher brothers. Not sure lemonade shandy will be on their menu! Who knows how many more fights he'll have - two, three maybe? What Ricky Hatton has done is prolong his career and got right in line for the dream clash with the winner of the Oscar De la Hoya-Manny Pacquiao showdown. Golden Boy are already looking at Sunday, May 3 at either Wembley or the Millennium Stadium. That's the weekend De La Hoya always fights - around the Cinco di Mayo - but best-laid plans and all that. Can Pacquiao upset the golden applecart and book his own slot against the Hitman? Ricky will be back in Vegas as Golden Boy's special guest next week. Whoever wins, 2009 looks a rosy one for Ricky Hatton. So, too a few levels down for his younger brother. I've always liked and respected Matthew. The Hattons are extremely close, and there is never any hint of jealousy or animosity between them. What a good display Matthew gave us against one of Ricky's old foes Ben Tackie. I remember Glenn McCrory's reaction when I told him they were taking this gamble with Matthew, and he thought it would be very, very hard for him. Matthew boxed beautifully and Glenn was absolutely right in studio afterwards when he said that Matthew's performance was a good sign of things to come from Ricky. The new camp worked. The Hattons should take their hats off to both Floyd Mayweather and Lee Beard. It was an exciting weekend back home too. Kicked off by another Matthew - British super-bantamweight champion Matthew Marsh. When one thinks of great trilogies - the meetings of Ali-Frazier, Bowe-Holyfield, Barrera-Morales and most recently Vasquez - Marquez spring to mind. Matthew Marsh and Rocky Dean's three fights will probably only be remembered by their very nearest and dearest, but they are two good pros who have provided us with three tasty scraps. As in the previous two, Marsh just had the edge, with his sharper skills and ring intelligence. A heck of an effort by Dean though again, and the pair threw 1400 punches at the York Hall over 12 hard-fought and cracking rounds last Friday.A day later we were back at the spiritual home of British boxing, where even more punches were thrown, and just as much grit and determination shown by eight more honest fighters. There were Prizefighter heroics a plenty as the middleweights got down and dirty; dishing up absorbing action, tight decisions and an unbelievable final. I've been keeping my eye on unbeaten St Helens' prospect Martin Murray for quite a while - I like the former ABA champion - good boxing brain, lovely jab, uses the ring well and has some power. His quarter-final performance against Ireland's unbeaten Joe Rea was pure quality, and he looked a class above all of his rivals for the £25 grand cash prize. Murray had the toughest of draws, and least time to recover as well.

Vulnerability

But my word Murray had to show he had a chin too, because the unheralded star of the latest tournament was popular Peterborough puncher Cello Renda. What a night he gave us; this youngster was absolutely made for Prizefighter. His hard-hitting style mixed with his own vulnerability, generated excitement from start to finish. He gave everything he had in the awesome final - one of the most brutal three rounds you'll ever see. Technical skills went out of the window - this was an intense, thrilling bar-room-brawl. Renda told me it was a pleasure and a privilege to be in Prizefighter. Well Cello, let me tell you something - it was our pleasure to see how much this meant to you, and how incredibly hard you fought. Cello's words afterwards that he'd made a group of friends for life were really touching. In commentary, I said 'split the money' at the end. Renda was that good and brave for dragging so much out of himself. But ultimately Murray did have the edge in quality. He's a good story too - boxing has saved him from the streets - expect Martin Murray to go on and win a British title at the very least. So the £25grand went to him, but the big money winner of the week was of course Hatton, who has surely struck gold with possible fights against the likes of De La Hoya, Pacquiao or even Floyd Mayweather again. How important financially might that win over Paulie Malignaggi prove to be? Next week I'll be looking ahead to the De La Hoya-Pacquiao 'Dream Match', having spent time with both of the modern legends in their respective camps, and assessing the resurrection and re-building of Amir Khan. I for one, can't wait to see how his comeback will fare. Enzo Maccarinelli also returns on the London bill, and goes straight back into the fire against unbeaten American puncher Johnathan Banks. Plus that heavyweight enigma Audley Harrison returns, and he'll have to really get down and fight with the aggressive, hard Irishman Martin Rogan, who was the first Prizefighter champion. December 6th will be another sizzling night from both sides of the Atlantic. Finally huge congratulations to my long-time friend Joe Calzaghe on collecting his CBE from the Queen. What a perfect time to bring the curtain down on his sensational career. So 46 and O. Over and out? Or will he be tempted by more riches to fight on? Your views please on our two modern greats: Joe Calzaghe (46-0) and Ricky Hatton (45-1)... Tell Adam what you think about Hatton and Calzaghe? Where do you put them in the list of all-time greats? Should Calzaghe fight on? Would you rather see Ricky face De La Hoya or Pacquiao? Fill in the feedback form below...